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“I grew up in a really nice suburban neighborhood, and even there, kids screwed up, made mistakes. So yes, I think they probably know how to use a lighter or mess around and get a lock open.” I said it sternly, as if to close the subject.
“It’s a shame you had such a hard time getting started with old Noah. If he’d have kept everything in better order, maybe there wouldn’t have been so many problems with the build.”
“Like what?” I asked, again trying to seem curious but disinterested. This was not a subject I liked discussion. Noah was not my favorite topic even on my best day. When I’d been puking in the sink of a public bathroom, you could safely say it wasn’t my best day.
“Well, I just mean if he was less of a blowhard, always bragging about what he’s got and how he won the bid, maybe people in town wouldn’t be so pissed off at him.”
“I see. From what I’ve seen he was pretty well-liked, but I don’t spend a lot of time around him, so I would have to bow to your expertise on who’s popular in Rockford Falls.”
“Oh, you can bet I know what’s what, honey,” he said archly. “And I think he just brought trouble on himself and that’s all. Not any teenagers in it, but he’s made plenty of people mad over the years with his attitude, like he thinks he’s better than everybody.”
“Okay,” I said. “The cocky attitude is a little much sometimes, I’ll agree with you there,” I chuckled. It felt wrong, like a betrayal to even say that much about Noah. Even though it was true, and his arrogance never failed to get on my nerves. Even when it was justified.
“That’s what I thought. You’re not his biggest fan either are you?”
“I’m not anybody’s fan. I’m interested in completing the build without any more difficulties. Oh, our food is here,” I said, hoping that would distract him from this subject once and for all.
“I hear you there, honey. It’d be a shame if anything else went wrong for y’all on that community center.”
“Let’s hope the worst is over,” I said, breaking off a piece of dinner roll and eating it. It didn’t taste nasty, which was an improvement, so I gobbled it down.
The dinner, unfortunately, was beef stroganoff. Between the creaminess and the sour cream and meat smell, it was all I could do to push it around on my plate and try to breathe through my mouth. Ray kept talking, discussing the community center plans and all the features in the blueprints he’d seen during the interview process, how he didn’t think a double oven was necessary in the kitchen and it’d be a way to cut corners.
“Yes, I see what you mean. But I think for large events, two ovens would be needed for everything from keeping appetizers warm to preparing funeral dinners. You’re right that it’s an additional expenditure, but the council approved that line item because the rationale was sufficient to justify it,” I said as diplomatically as I could, poking at my food while he wolfed his down.
“Still think it’s a waste of money. But if you’re not particular about where it came from, I got a buddy in Tennessee that can get them for you at half the price,” he said.
I winced but tried to hide it, “That’s really nice of you, Mr. Forrester, but I think we already have those on order. Thanks anyway.”
“Now don’t go calling me Mr. Forrester. That’s my dad’s name. I’m Ray, your date.”
“Mr. Forrester,” I said firmly, “I appreciate your insight to the project—”
“Didn’t appreciate it too much when I bid for the job,” he said with a harsh laugh.
“That wasn’t personal. It was a business decision approved by the council and seconded by the county board which also has a stake in the project,” I said. Which was both accurate and a total lie because it was personal—I didn’t want to spend months working closely with Ray Forrester. I didn’t even want to spend minutes across a table from him.
“If you say so, honey,” he said. It combined my hatred of being condescended to with my hatred of being called honey. I seethed, but I didn’t say anything rude. I didn’t strike back, although I could have cut him down to size. It didn’t benefit me in the long run to offend him more than I already had.
“That’s the best thing, just to agree to disagree,” I said as brightly as I could. “Has your stay here been good?”
“I got a real nice view from my hotel room. You wanna come up there and see it, maybe stay for a drink or some dessert?” he asked. He was so smarmy I wanted to gag some more.
